Today we’d like to introduce you to Tevyn Cole.
Tevyn, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
When asked about my story, I never truly know where to begin. My life with dance started at five years old. I always knew I wanted to be an entertainer but I had no idea where that would take me. At 20 years old, I was back up dancing for Kpop stars in South Korea. At 22, I moved to LA from Korea to pursue a mentorship with celebrity choreographer Andre Fuentes. Now at 27, I have trained under top-notch Hollywood choreographers and have been mentored by the best in the game. After the passing of my mentor Andre a few years back, I began pursuing my dance goals with more purpose. He had inspired me so much and made me feel capable of achieving whatever I dreamed of. I now teach at the best studios in Los Angeles and choreograph music videos and commercials. Each day provides it’s own challenges and keeps you on your toes in this industry. Nothing is ever certain. But over the course of my career in choreography, I have grown so much more into myself. I have found a deeper connection with my art. I dream of one day choreographing for movies and television shows. LA has provided me with so many life-changing opportunities and is constantly inspiring me to reach for more.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road for me. When I first came here for my mentorship, I had to stay with a relative who lived 2 hours out of the city. My rehearsals with Andre were in Hollywood at Edge performing arts center. I was crashing on a couch in Corona. Using the train back and forth was so stressful for me, especially since I only had $600 dollars in savings. There came a point where I was so anxious about missing the train to my rehearsals that I decided not to go back to my relatives in Corona. I had to use what resources I had to find a place to stay each night. I had to ration out one meal a day and couch surf each night. I didn’t want to tell my family what was going on because I knew they would fly me home in a heartbeat. I really needed this opportunity with Andre. He was and still is my favorite choreographer. Long story short, I ended up meeting a big casting director at an audition who wanted to help me out after asking about my living situation. He gave me a place to stay, got me in front of an agent to get signed, and put me in my first commercial. I owe so much to this man and his family. If it wasn’t for meeting this person early on in my LA experience, I am not sure where I would be today.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a choreographer and teacher. I specialize in Street Jazz! I am heavily inspired by the 80’s and early 90’s. When I teach my class, my students are almost always prepared to dance to music from those eras! It’s really fun actually. Sometimes my class will even dress like they are in the 80’s and it truly feels like I’m stepping into a time capsule when I walk into the studio. There is something so special about the 80’s in dance. The jazz was so clean and precise. There was so much feeling and expression. I like to bring those elements into the commercial world of dance. I am most proud of the dancers I have been able to witness grow in my class. There is no greater feeling than seeing people let go and LIVE while they dance. My style is unique and I always stay true to myself and what I like. Not what is trending. I think that is what sets me apart from the rest and I am completely okay with that.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I think the quality that is most important to success is fearlessness. So much success comes when you push your fears and doubts aside. You have to not be afraid of the word no. You have to believe in yourself so much that others believe in you too. I am so inspired by fearless artists like Prince and Madonna. People that kind of say, F it, this is me. I love that shit. I think it works.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @tevyncole
Image Credit:
Krystal Thompson (@krystalthompsonphoto); Alexandra Forster (@alexandrafolster)
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